AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS) has set an ambitious target to deliver initial, intermittent space-based cellular broadband coverage in five markets before the close of 2026.
The company is pushing toward service launches in the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia as its satellite network buildout accelerates.
“We are moving toward service with the partnerships, spectrum and network capabilities needed to bring cellular broadband from space into people’s everyday lives,” said Scott Wisniewski, president of AST SpaceMobile.
ASTS shares traded 5% lower on Tuesday at the time of reporting, extending a decline of more than 25% over the prior week.
AST SpaceMobile has enabled more than 3,000 coverage cells in the United States and expects to activate roughly 5,600 cells covering the contiguous U.S. before year-end.
The company said enabling the remaining cells will establish the geographic footprint required for initial, intermittent service across the region and is a prerequisite for a nationwide rollout.
On the spectrum front, AST SpaceMobile is targeting approximately 100 MHz of spectrum access in the United States, combining partner operators’ spectrum with mobile satellite services spectrum.
Its spectrum position includes access to 45 MHz of MSS mid-band spectrum in North America and priority rights to 60 MHz of S-band spectrum globally on a market-by-market basis.
The company’s satellite technology can tune across approximately 1,150 MHz of low- and mid-band frequencies globally, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
AST SpaceMobile has more than 60 gateways deployed, installed or in planning worldwide, supporting over 60 mobile network operators representing more than 3 billion subscribers.
Strategic partners supporting the network ecosystem include AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, TELUS and stc Group, reflecting the company’s broad international reach.
On Monday, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone signed a letter of intent to explore a potential joint bid for mobile satellite services spectrum, according to AST SpaceMobile.
The company also highlighted its existing European joint venture, Satellite Connect Europe, which provides European-operated ground infrastructure connecting its BlueBird satellites with mobile operators’ core networks.
BlueBird satellites are assembled, integrated and tested at AST SpaceMobile’s facilities in Midland, Texas, with production progressing through BlueBird 50.
The company operates more than 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations facilities worldwide, supported by a workforce of over 2,250 employees.
Its technology platform is backed by more than 3,900 patent and patent-pending claims, underscoring the scale of its intellectual property position.
Retail sentiment for ASTS on Stocktwits remained in bullish territory over the past 24 hours, amid high message volumes, despite the stock falling over 40% year-to-date.
